Monday, April 4, 2011

Catering From Scratch

How flattering to be asked to cater a 30th birthday party, one at which your cooking is to be the main surprise. In the past couple of years, we have learned (on the spot and with a lot of great help and support and cheerleading) how to cook up some courses for people who are not members of our sometimes opinionated but always forgiving immediate families.

Starting from 4 courses/8 plates/30 popsicles, and at last count, 5 courses/28 plates/all tomatoes, we've lucked out with many opportunities that just cropped up. We've taught an occasional vegetarian cooking class, and in February, we assembled a birthday party picnic for about 20 folks...but catering? Now that's something big. Something, well...intimidating. Bravely, we jumped right on in and did it, though, because why not? Happy to say it ended up being a great experience last weekend.

The Manns and their wonderful friends and family welcomed us and made us feel at home at their party. We happily planned and tested for weeks and prepped non-stop from end-of-winter morning farmers' market to early afternoon last-minute grocery run; a minute or two of panic and nerves gave way to calm and focused pre-party assembling with the goal of making 6 all-from-scratch vegetarian appetizers pretty and delicious. Here's what was on the menu.

What a good time we had sharing our kind of cooking with such appreciate folks. And now we're wondering -- and kind of plotting a little bit and dreaming a whole lot -- what's next on the agenda? We'll be sure to keep you posted.

8 comments:

Justin & Amy - it was beyond an honor to have y'all whip up all of these AMAZING dishes of yours for my birthday. My sister (who is quite fond of a bloody steak now and then) said this was some of the best not just catering food but FOOD period she'd had in a long time. I couldn't agree more!! In fact, it's more than a week later, and we're all still talking (dreaming & drooling) about it. It wouldn't have been the same party with out y'all and that TCV magic!! So a million thanks again.... We're looking forward to seeing y'all in June at Iris (if not sooner!). -amy mann

You two were so kind to indulge us in this venture, and truly,YOU and your food was the surprise and the centerpiece of the night. Im almost tempted to make this some kind of annual tradition. Either way, keep at it. You have a passion and a gift - put the two together and that's an true artist's vocation.